Jaipur, Feb 20 (NationPress) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant emphasized the escalating threat posed by cybercrime, asserting that digital offenses lack geographical limitations and necessitate international collaboration for effective countermeasures.

The CJI made these remarks during the opening of a three-day seminar focused on ‘Cyber Security: Awareness, Protection and Inclusive Access to Justice’ in Jaipur.

In sharing his own experiences, Justice Surya Kant disclosed that numerous fraudulent websites are routinely generated using his name.

“Every other day brings forth new sites impersonating me. My photos are often misused on these platforms. My family, including my sister and daughter, received messages from these counterfeit sites, but they recognized the deception. Upon reaching out to cyber teams for investigation, we discovered that these websites were being established from Nigeria. This exemplifies the intricacy of the issue. Without collective efforts, finding solutions will be exceedingly challenging,” he remarked.

He urged the public to stay alert, stating, “Act with awareness and guard with diligence; never assume that appearances equate to safety.”

After an elderly couple reported losing their entire life savings to cyber fraud, the CJI indicated he had initiated suo motu notice of digital arrests.

“Over Rs 50,000 crore has already been stolen in this manner. Such acts represent clear extortion and robbery. I have articulated this in court,” he noted.

Referencing statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs, he described the situation as alarming.

“Currently, about 66 lakh cyber fraud cases are pending in India. This has evolved into a widespread phenomenon that is now attracting international focus. It’s a serious matter that demands thorough discourse and consideration,” he stated.

He added that tracking down cybercriminals is profoundly difficult without global cooperation.

“A cohesive system built on collaboration is essential; otherwise, identifying these individuals will remain a formidable challenge,” he emphasized.

Justice Surya Kant recognized cybercrime as not merely a technological issue but a profound obstacle to justice at its core.

“Loss of funds inflicts emotional, social, and institutional harm. The impact of deepfakes can undermine dignity, safety, and even the willingness to engage with authorities. In this digital era, we must understand that technological vulnerabilities hinder access to justice,” he stated.

He commended the State Legal Services Authority for implementing procedural protections to shield citizens from such crimes, acknowledging that while the digital revolution has introduced numerous advantages and accessible services, it also poses significant risks when exploited for criminal purposes.

Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Sanjeev Prakash Sharma noted that the state government has actively worked towards enhancing court infrastructure and embracing modern technology.

He provided the CJI with updates on initiatives undertaken by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RALSA).

Justice Pankaj Bhandari described cyber fraud as one of the most significant emerging economic threats.

“Cyber fraud has now become the third-largest economy globally, nearing $10 trillion. In the past five years, over 6.5 million cases have been documented in the country, with losses amounting to approximately Rs 55,000 crore,” he noted.